From Amy Schumer to Jason Biggs, several celebrities have faced intense attention over relationship troubles after major weight-loss transformations. Now, Jelly Roll is the latest public figure to find himself under that spotlight.
The 41-year-old singer has filed for divorce from his wife, Bunnie Xo, after nearly 10 years of marriage. Court records were submitted in Tennessee last month.
The split comes after a dramatic personal transformation for Jelly Roll, who has lost more than half of his body weight in less than four years.
Before beginning that journey, the rapper and singer-songwriter, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, once weighed 550 pounds.
By January, however, he had brought his weight down to 265 pounds through exercise and other lifestyle changes.
It remains unclear whether his weight loss played any direct role in the breakup. Still, major physical transformations can sometimes bring emotional and relational challenges that put strain on a partnership.
Shedding pounds can lead to a shift in daily routines, a change in libido and increased attention, which can in turn spark jealousy.
Licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical sexologist Dr Anna Elton told the Daily Mail that weight loss itself is rarely the real root of a relationship breakdown, but it can bring about an array of obstacles.
Jelly Roll and his wife Bunnie Xo are headed for divorce after 10 years of marriage
Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, is pictured in October 2021, the year before he embarked on his weight loss process from a starting point of 550lbs
‘Weight loss can create unexpected challenges in a relationship because it changes far more than a person’s appearance,’ she said.
‘When someone loses a significant amount of weight, they frequently receive more attention from others, experience a boost in self-confidence, and may notice an increase in libido and desire.
‘While these changes can be positive, they can also disrupt an established relationship dynamic.’
Dr Elton said she often sees a mismatch in desire and expectations.
The partner who has lost weight might encounter an increase in libido, which might throw the other partner off kilter.
‘This can lead to frustration, rejection, and resentment on both sides,’ she said.
Beyond the bedroom, the person who has embarked on a weight loss journey might have drastically changed their lifestyle in a bid to keep the pounds off.
They might be spending more time at the gym or they might be more focused on their diet, and this in turn might create a distance.
Jelly Roll revealed he went from 540lbs down to 265lbs thanks to diet and exercise changes
‘A partner may feel judged, left behind, or insecure as the relationship begins to change around them,’ Dr Elton said.
‘A partner who is spending significant time at the gym, meal prepping, training, or focusing on health goals may unintentionally redirect time, energy, and attention away from the relationship.’
Jealousy can also rear its ugly head when a partner has lost weight and starts receiving increased attention.
But Dr Elton says these challenges can be resolved through open and honest communication.
‘Couples who navigate this transition successfully tend to maintain their relationship rituals, whether that means sharing meals, spending intentional time together, or protecting regular opportunities for connection,’ she said.
‘Frequent check-ins are also critical.
‘Partners need honest conversations about changing needs, insecurities, and expectations without shame, guilt, blame, or accusations.
The rapper and his wife Bunny Xo were due to celebrate their 10 year anniversary in August
‘Couples are most successful when they treat weight loss as a shared experience and find ways to grow through the changes together.
‘Offering support, encouragement, and curiosity about a partner’s goals helps transform what could become a source of division into an opportunity for growth together.’
Sources told TMZ that Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo’s decision to separate was ‘mutual’ after they tied the knot back in 2016.
They would have celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in August.
Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo first crossed paths in 2015 and sparked a romance shortly thereafter.
The following year, they married at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.
They briefly split in 2018 after he had an affair and admitted that cheating on his wife had been ‘one of the worst moments’ of his life.
Jelly Roll isn’t the only celebrity whose relationship ended after weight loss.
Jason Biggs split with his wife Jenny Mollen one year after he dropped almost 45lbs (pictured in 2023)
At the time of their split, sources claimed to the Daily Mail that his weight loss played a part
Jason Biggs’ weight loss is said to have caused a ‘wedge’ in his marriage to Jenny Mollen.
The couple announced in May that they were going their separate ways after 18 years of marriage.
One year before their split, he changed his diet and exercise routine after discovering ‘some cholesterol issues.’
As a result of his lifestyle transformation, the 48-year-old American Pie actor shed 35lbs.
And according to insiders, his slimmer frame played a part in the breakup.
‘Jason definitely has changed since his weight loss transformation,’ an insider told the Daily Mail at the time.
‘He lost a lot of weight, and it definitely helped boost his ego.’
Actress Amy Schumer has dropped 50lbs (seen left in May 2024 and right in 2026)
She split from husband Chris Fischer after seven years of marriage, announcing the news in December
Amy Schumer split from Chris Fischer after seven years of marriage following her 50lb weight loss, although she has maintained there was no correlation.
The actress, 45, announced she had parted ways from her ex in December 2025 and filed for divorce in January.
The former couple wed in 2018 and share a seven-year-old son, Gene.
Confirming the end of their marriage in a statement shared to social media, Schumer wrote: ‘Blah blah blah Chris and I have made the difficult decision to end our marriage after seven years.
‘We love each other very much and will continue to focus on raising our son. We would appreciate people respecting our privacy at this time.’
She added: ‘Amicable and all love and respect! Family forever.’
Schumer denied speculation that her weight loss had anything to do with the end of her relationship and said the decision wasn’t because she had ‘dropped some lbs and thought I could bag [a] basket.’
